The Island
With its sandy beaches, coves and crystal blue waters set amidst a rugged west of Ireland landscape, the isle of Inishbofin is worth the rolling forty-minute journey by boat from Cleggan harbour. Once I boarded the ferry, I realised the true meaning of the ‘wild Atlantic way’.
And yet as the calm of the harbour thankfully approaches, the most charming, untouched landscape rolls into view, set behind an old Cromwellian stone fortress.
Inishbofin is an island haven, without the clatter of too many tourists, who have all headed for Inis Mór.
The pale pallor caused by the rocky trip soon gave way to flushed, sun kissed cheeks, as we found a little slice of paradise on the only sunny day in July.
Mad for handmade trinkets and mementos on an adventure like this, I have an excellent inner beacon, an inner lighthouse if you will, which guides me to the nearest craft shop. It happens every time I am away.
Only a short hop and a skip away from the harbour, we found the Shepard’s Hut Craft Shop, housing the work of local artist, designer and maker Lorraine, known as Lol, McClean.
Lol is an island dweller, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was born on the neighbouring island of Inishturk. Raised in the UK, Lol returned to Inishbofin to work in Days’ hotel as a teenager, and returned once again in 2002. It wasn’t long before she answered the call of the creative life full time, establishing a craft studio inspired by her island home in 2011.
Her artwork reflects her surroundings, as she is known for her unique authentic, hand pressed seaweed prints and ceramics. She also teaches pottery workshops over the summer months, and gave us an insight into living on the island all year round.
“You came here on a very nice day!” she jokes as we ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ over the panoramic views.
“The island goes to sleep over the winter and the hotels close,” she explains.
“Yet the pub remains the central hub of the community and people are very sociable. We will go there just to drink tea or coffee in the middle of the day.
"Even in the winter, we can have stunning days where there is little wind and the sun shines, while in summer, we can have gale force winds and the boats can’t run! ”
When I enquire about island supplies, she explains that, while there is a local shop storing all of the essentials
“Supervalu in Clifden introduced a fantastic delivery service two years ago. We simply ring up the night before and they’re delivered the next day! Man does it make life easier!”
Unexpectedly, I uncover some of the islands darker history when I ask about the crumbling stone fortress at the mouth of the harbour.
“It was Oliver Cromwell’s fort,” she explains. “Many priests were sent here - where they either went to the Caribbean - or were drowned near a rock on the north of the island. It was used a detention centre for the Catholic clergy.”
Inishbofin Heritage Museum:
The heritage of the island won’t be lost thanks to the Inishbofin Heritage Museum. The museum was established by islander Marie Coyne in ‘the store’ at the old pier in 1998.
Like the rest of the island, it oozes with nostalgic charm, housing the contents of traditional island homes, fishing, farming and trades-people’s tools, along with over 200 photographs of local inhabitants.
"The items were kindly donated from all around the island," explains Marie.
"People might have been rummaging around in old sheds, or throwing something out and they will give me a call!
"It is appealing to those who are interested in the history of the island. I get a lot of tour groups and also a few Irish people on a sunny day when the boat comes in!”
Marie established the museum without funding. She keeps it running using proceeds from the sale of her arts and crafts at the front of the premises.
“I did it all myself,” Marie explains.
“I didn’t get any funding at all. The museum is run on donations and sales from the gift shop."
While there is “still a few bits that need to be done” work is progressing to protect the island for future generations.
